President Donald Trump’s endorsements hold significant weight in the Republican Party during the 2026 election cycle. These endorsements have been instrumental in helping many candidates secure wins in GOP primaries. However, recent events have shaken this winning streak.

Ogles’ Unexpected Defeat

Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost the Republican primary for the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District, despite having Trump’s endorsement. During Trump’s first term, Ballotpedia recorded 305 endorsements from 2017 to 2021. In 2026, Trump made 312 primary endorsements, with 97 percent securing victories by early July, as reported by elections trackers.

Ogles, considered one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, lost to former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Hatcher received backing from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and triumphed in this closely scrutinized race.

Other Notable Losses

Amir Hassan’s Defeat

Just days before Ogles’ loss, Trump-endorsed candidate Amir Hassan lost the Republican primary in Michigan’s 8th District to Thomas J. Smith. Despite suspending his campaign weeks before the election, Smith remained on the ballot and won with 50.4 percent of the vote. Hassan, endorsed by Trump in July, finished with just 33.2 percent, marking a surprising defeat.

Phil Berger Falls Short

In North Carolina, Senate leader Phil Berger lost the GOP nomination for the state’s 26th Senate District to Sheriff Sam Page. Berger had been a dominant figure in state politics for over a decade, making his loss one of the early high-profile defeats.

Burt Jones’ Setback in Georgia

Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones lost the Republican gubernatorial runoff in June. The race was viewed as an influential test of Trump’s hold over the state, which remains a key battleground.

Defeats in Indiana and Texas

Brenda Wilson, a member of the Vigo County Council, lost her bid for the Indiana Senate’s District 38. Fellow Hoosier Bruce Borders, a long-serving member of the Indiana House, also failed to secure renomination. In Texas, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s loss stood out, as incumbents with Trump’s backing rarely fail to secure nominations.

Randy Feenstra and Pamela Evette

Representative Randy Feenstra of Iowa lost the GOP gubernatorial primary, highlighting internal party divisions. South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, initially endorsed by Trump for the gubernatorial race, lost the runoff against Attorney General Alan Wilson. Though she narrowly led the primary, she secured only 31.4 percent in the runoff.

Jon Maples’ Florida Campaign

Jon Maples contested a special election for Florida’s District 87, winning the primary but narrowly losing the general election to Democrat Emily Gregory. Maples is running again in the regular election, hoping to unseat Gregory in the upcoming November contest.

Endorsement Strength Remains

Despite recent setbacks, Trump’s endorsement remains powerful. Many candidates backed by him have succeeded, showing that his influence is still a crucial factor in election outcomes. However, the loss of Ogles and others highlight that no endorsement guarantees success.